If you were involved in a truck accident in Long Beach, you may not immediately feel the full extent of your injuries. Some injuries take days, weeks, or even months to manifest noticeable symptoms. If this happens, you should get medical attention as quickly as possible. Then, reach out to an attorney. Do not sign anything from anyone connected to an insurance company.
Delayed injuries are common in truck accidents due to many factors. If you’ve recently been in a truck accident and are now experiencing new or worsening pain, Belal Hamideh, an experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer, may be able to help.
Why Do Some Injuries Appear Days or Weeks After a Truck Accident?
The adrenaline and shock from a truck accident can mask pain and injuries in the immediate aftermath. Additionally, certain soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away.
Over time, inflammation, nerve damage, or underlying trauma can become more apparent. If you start experiencing headaches, dizziness, back pain, or other unusual symptoms days or weeks after the crash, it could be related to the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if your injuries were not immediately apparent, you may have some flexibility under the “delayed discovery” rule. Still, it’s best to consult a Long Beach truck accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines.
Will the Insurance Company Deny My Claim If My Injuries Show Up Later?
Insurance companies often look for reasons to minimize or deny claims. If you didn’t seek medical attention right after the accident, they may argue that your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the collision.
However, Belal Hamideh can help gather medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence to prove that your delayed injuries are directly linked to the truck accident.
What Should I Do If I Start Experiencing New Symptoms?
If you develop new symptoms after a truck accident, take the following steps:
- See a Doctor Immediately: Even if you were checked after the accident, new symptoms warrant another medical evaluation.
- Keep Detailed Records: Document all symptoms, medical visits, and treatments.
- Notify Your Attorney: If you’ve already hired a Long Beach truck accident attorney, inform them of any new developments. If you haven’t, reach out to Belal.
- Avoid Giving Statements to Insurance Adjusters: Delayed injuries can complicate claims, so let your attorney handle communications.
What Are Common Delayed Injuries After a Truck Accident?
Some injuries that may not be immediately obvious include:
- Whiplash: Neck pain and stiffness often develop hours or days after the collision.
- Concussions/Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Symptoms like confusion, memory loss, or headaches may appear later.
- Internal Bleeding: Abdominal pain or bruising can signal internal injuries that weren’t initially detected.
- Herniated Discs: Back pain, numbness, or tingling in the limbs may indicate spinal damage.
- Emotional Trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, or depression can surface weeks after the accident.
If you notice any new symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. A doctor can document these injuries, which is crucial for your health and your legal claim.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Didn’t Seek Medical Help Right Away?
Yes, but it may be more challenging. Insurance companies often use delays in medical treatment to dispute claims.
However, if you can prove through medical records and expert testimony that your injuries were caused by the accident, you may still recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Belal Hamideh can help build a strong case on your behalf.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek for Delayed Injuries?
If your injuries developed after the accident, you may be entitled to:
- Medical Expenses: Past and future treatments related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
Belal Hamideh can assess your case and determine the full value of your claim. He’ll let you know about this as soon as possible, potentially during your free case evaluation.
How Can Belal Help with Delayed Injury Claims?
As an attorney experienced in truck accident cases, Belal can:
- Investigate the accident to gather evidence linking your injuries to the collision.
- Work with medical professionals to establish a clear connection between the accident and your delayed symptoms.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Prepare a strong case for trial if a settlement cannot be reached.
What Mistakes Should I Avoid If My Injuries Develop Later?
Avoid these common mistakes that could hurt your claim:
- Waiting Too Long to See a Doctor: Delayed treatment can weaken your case.
- Posting About Your Injuries on Social Media: Insurance companies may use your posts against you.
- Settling Too Quickly: Once you accept a settlement, you can’t seek more money if your injuries worsen.
- Handling the Claim Alone: Truck accident cases are complex, especially with delayed injuries.
How Do I Prove That My Delayed Injuries Were Caused by the Truck Accident?
Medical records, doctor testimonies, and accident reconstruction reports can help establish a link between the collision and your injuries. Belal can work with medical professionals to demonstrate how the force of the crash led to your delayed symptoms.
Should I Still Contact a Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney If I’m Not Sure About My Injuries?
Yes. Even if you’re unsure about the severity of your injuries, consulting an attorney early ensures you protect your rights. Belal can advise you on the best steps to take as your condition evolves. To see what his clients think of him, we offer these testimonials.
Why Does Belal Hamideh Recommend Getting Medical Attention Immediately After a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Long Beach, seeking medical attention right away is one of the most important steps you can take—not just for your health, but also for protecting your legal rights.
Belal Hamideh strongly advises all accident victims to get checked by a doctor as soon as possible, even if they feel fine. This is true for many reasons.
Medical Records Strengthen Your Legal Case
If you decide to pursue a truck accident claim, you’ll need strong evidence linking your injuries to the crash. Insurance companies often argue that delayed medical treatment means your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. By seeing a doctor immediately, you create a clear medical record that establishes:
- The exact time and date of your injuries
- The severity of your condition from the beginning
- A professional medical opinion connecting your injuries to the accident
Without this documentation, insurers may try to deny or minimize your claim.
Early Treatment Leads to Better Recovery
Some injuries worsen without prompt care. For example:
- An undiagnosed concussion can lead to long-term cognitive issues.
- Untreated whiplash may cause chronic neck pain.
- Delayed treatment for internal bleeding can be life-threatening.
Seeing a doctor quickly ensures you get the right treatment before complications arise.
It Helps Establish a Timeline for Your Claim
In California, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim after a truck accident. However, proving that delayed symptoms are related to the crash becomes harder if you didn’t seek immediate medical attention. A doctor’s early assessment helps establish a clear timeline, which is critical if your injuries develop over time.
How Insurance Companies Use Delayed Medical Treatment Against You – And How Belal Hamideh Can Help
If you wait too long to see a doctor after a truck accident, insurance adjusters will look for every opportunity to use that delay against your claim. Belal Hamideh, a Long Beach truck accident attorney, has seen these tactics repeatedly and knows how to counter them. Below, we explain the most common ways insurers attack delayed treatment claims and how strong legal representation can protect your rights.
How Insurance Companies Weaponize Delayed Medical Care
They may use many tactics, which can include:
Claiming Your Injuries Aren’t Serious
Their argument:
“If you were truly hurt, you would have gone to the emergency room immediately.”
Why they do this:
Insurance companies know that juries (and adjusters) often assume serious injuries result in instant medical care. If you waited days or weeks, they’ll argue your pain must be minor or unrelated.
Suggesting Your Injuries Happened Later
Their argument:
“How do we know your back pain wasn’t from lifting heavy objects at home instead of the crash?”
Why they do this:
Without early medical records, they can claim your injuries occurred after the accident—maybe at work, at the gym, or even in a separate incident.
Lowballing or Denying Your Claim Entirely
Their tactic:
- Offer a tiny settlement, hoping you’ll take it out of desperation.
- Or deny the claim outright, forcing you to fight in court.
Why they do this:
They bet that without clear medical documentation, you won’t have the evidence to win a larger payout.
How Belal Hamideh Fights Back Against These Tactics
Even if you delayed treatment, an experienced Long Beach truck accident attorney can counter the insurance company’s arguments. The insurance company is on their side, but Belal is on the side of his clients (as these reviews show).
Here’s how Belal Hamideh helps clients in these situations:
Gathering Alternate Evidence Linking Injuries to the Crash
- Police reports: If the officer noted visible distress at the scene (like stiffness or disorientation), it supports your injury timeline.
- Witness statements: Co-workers, family, or bystanders may testify that you complained of pain soon after the accident.
- Expert medical testimony: Doctors can explain why certain injuries (like whiplash or concussions) commonly have delayed symptoms.
Using Medical Science to Explain the Delay
Belal works with physicians who can:
- Confirm that adrenaline and shock mask early pain.
- Show how soft-tissue injuries often worsen gradually.
- Prove that some conditions (like herniated discs) take time to diagnose.
This undermines the insurer’s claim that “no immediate treatment = no real injury.”
Proving You Sought Care as Soon as Symptoms Appeared
If you went to the doctor as soon as pain developed (even if weeks later), Belal can:
- Highlight your consistent medical visits after symptoms arose.
- Show that you followed all treatment plans, proving legitimacy.
- Contrast your credible behavior with the insurer’s baseless doubts.
Exposing the Insurance Company’s Bad Faith
If the adjuster ignores medical evidence or makes unreasonable demands, Belal can:
- File a bad faith insurance claim, which may lead to penalties for the insurer.
- Use their refusal to negotiate fairly as leverage in court.
What Compensation Can You Receive for a Truck Accident in California?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in California, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages, such as:
Medical Expenses (Past and Future)
Truck accidents often cause severe injuries requiring extensive treatment. You may recover:
- Emergency care (ambulance, ER visits)
- Hospital stays, surgeries, and medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future medical costs (if injuries require long-term care)
How Belal Hamideh Helps:
He works with medical experts to calculate both current bills and projected future expenses, ensuring insurers don’t undervalue your claim.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek:
- Wages lost during recovery
- Reduced earning ability (if disabilities affect your career)
- Missed bonuses, promotions, or benefits
How Belal Hamideh Helps:
He gathers pay stubs, tax records, and vocational expert testimony to prove lost income—both now and in the future.
Pain and Suffering
Truck accidents can cause lasting physical and emotional trauma. Compensation may cover:
- Chronic pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
How Belal Hamideh Helps:
He uses medical records, therapist notes, and personal testimony to assign a fair value to your suffering.
Property Damage
You can recover costs for:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Damaged personal items (electronics, cargo, etc.)
How Belal Hamideh Helps:
He reviews repair estimates and negotiates with insurers to ensure you’re paid fairly—not just the lowest possible amount.
How Belal Hamideh Helps You Recover Maximum Compensation
Proving Liability
Truck accident cases often involve multiple at-fault parties:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company (for negligent hiring or maintenance)
- A manufacturer (if defective parts caused the crash)
Belal identifies all liable parties to maximize your potential compensation sources.
Fighting Insurance Company Tricks
Insurers use tactics like:
- Lowball offers (hoping you’ll accept less)
- Delay tactics (dragging out your case)
- Blame-shifting (claiming you caused the crash)
Belal negotiates aggressively and prepares for trial to force fair settlements.
Calculating the True Value of Your Claim
Many victims underestimate their long-term costs. Belal consults:
- Doctors to project future medical needs
- Economists to calculate lost earning potential
This ensures you don’t settle for less than you’ll actually need.
Handling All Legal Deadlines and Paperwork
California has strict filing rules, including:
- 2-year statute of limitations for injury claims
- 6-month deadline for claims against government entities
- Many others.
Belal ensures all paperwork is filed correctly and on time.
A Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Looking Out for You
You want to choose an attorney with experience handling truck accident cases, a track record of successful settlements or verdicts, and a commitment to personalized attention. Belal Hamideh has helped numerous clients recover compensation for delayed injuries and is ready to assist you. He has extensive experience, as you can see from his videos.
If you or someone you love were hurt in a truck accident, schedule a free case evaluation with Belal.